Eldest daughter of Captain Francis Blake Delaval (1692 – 1752) and Rhoda Apreece (d.1759), daughter of Robert Apreece and Sarah Hussey. Her marriage in 1751 to Edward Astley, later 4th Bt. (1729 – 1802) of Melton Constable, ultimately brought Seaton Delaval into the Astley family. Rhoda died in childbirth, having borne him three sons and a daughter. On her death, her husband went to live with his children at Melton Constable. Their son, Jacob (1756 – 1817) inherited the Delaval estates in 1814. She was a talented artist, taught by Pond, who had been brought to Seaton Delaval by her father. Pond’s journal records lessons in painting given to ‘Miss Delaval’ [i.e. the eldest daughter, Rhoda] a month at a time, intermittently between February 1744 and June 1750, at 4 guineas (£4.4s.) a month. He also obtained a ‘Layman’ for her from a joiner, Morris, in June 1750, for £3.8s. (Lippincott, art.cit., passim). This would appear to have been the picture for which Pond charged 12 guineas (£12.12s.) in June 1750 (cf. Louise Lippincott, ‘Arthur Pond’s Journal of Receipts and Expenses, 1734-1750’, The Fifty-fourth Volume of the Walpole Society: 1988, [1991], p.314. Rhoda left various letters dating to the years after her marriage, which provide insight into C18th society life in Northumberland (see M.Green, The Delavals. A Family History, Newcastle, p.44 ff.). (Amanda Bradley)

Provenance: accepted in lieu of tax by H.M.Treasury and transferred to the National Trust in 2009

Marks & Inscriptions: Top: formerly inscribed with the identity of the sitter (in flowing white script, painted out): Rhoda Delaval wife of / [crossed out: William …] Edward Astley Frame tablet: RHODA, daughter of F.B. Delaval / and first wife of / Sir Edward Astley 4th Bart. / A.POND.

Text from National Trust website

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Arthur Pond (1701 – 1758)
Date: circa 1750

Image Details
Date: 21 May 2023
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/30s
ISO: 640
Licensing: Image of a National Trust asset. This image cannot be licensed.